104-Year-Old Grandmother Becomes Oldest Skydiver, Passes Away 8 Days Later

Passed away in sleep 8 days after setting record
After diving, "Age is just a number"

The 104-year-old grandmother from Chicago, USA, who became a sensation as the "world's oldest skydiver," has passed away. It was just eight days after she set the world record for the oldest skydiver, saying, "I want to enjoy the feeling of free-falling from the blue sky to the ground one more time."

Dorothy Hofner.
Photo by AP Yonhap News

According to the Chicago Tribune on the 10th (local time), Dorothy Hopner, who set the world record for the oldest skydiver earlier this month at Sky Dive Chicago Airport, passed away in her sleep the day before.

Hopner's step-grandson, Joe Conant, said, "Grandma never seemed to get tired," and "She never took naps or canceled plans," expressing that her death was unexpected. He added, "(She was) a warm person who would start conversations with those around her, always witty even in old age, and passionate about everything."

Earlier, on the 1st, Hopner successfully completed her second skydive. Despite being 104 years old, she fearlessly jumped from an altitude of 13,600 feet (about 4,115 meters) without earplugs, wearing a confident expression, which became a worldwide sensation.

After landing, Hopner said, "Age is just a number," and "It's never too late to achieve your dreams." She also mentioned, "The feeling of gently drifting down from the sky is wonderful," and "Anyone should try it at least once."

Hopner expressed little interest in setting world records and said she wanted to challenge herself with a hot air balloon as her next goal, but unfortunately, she was unable to fulfill it.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.